Hanger and clothes folding machine

ABSTRACT

A hanger according to the present invention is a hanger for hanging a garment thereon, including: a main body section; a suspension section at which the hanger is suspended, the suspension section being connected to the main body section; and a pair of arm sections for supporting the garment in a suspended state from inside, the pair of arm sections being linked to the main body section, wherein, from a state of supporting the garment spread, the arm sections transform to fold at least a part of the garment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hanger and a garment folding apparatus capable of automatically folding garments.

BACKGROUND ART

Folding garments in households is listed as one of relatively stressful housekeeping works. Various electric and electronic housekeeping apparatuses have been developed and generally used, but no apparatus for automatically holding garments has been put to practical use. Therefore, people engaged in housekeeping strongly desire the development of an apparatus for alleviating the work of folding garments.

For industrial use, apparatuses for folding garments, especially shirts, for cleaning business are known. Patent Document No. 1 discloses an apparatus which works as follows. A garment is spread on a table with the front side up and with both side parts being hung down. Folding plates are slid to below the garment from both sides to fold the hung-down side parts of the garment. Patent Document No. 2 discloses an apparatus which works as follows. A garment is spread with the front side down on a table divided into three parts. Two side parts of the table are moved to above the garment to fold side parts of the garment. Such apparatuses are mainly used in the actual cleaning business practice.

However, an apparatus having such a structure needs to include a large working table on which the garment can be spread horizontally, which requires a large floor area. In addition, the work of spreading the garment on the table needs to be done manually and is inefficient.

By contrast, Patent Document No. 3 discloses an apparatus which works as follows in order to decrease the necessary floor area. A garment is hung on a sloped plate. Air is blown to both side parts of the garment to flap the side parts rearward. Then, folding plates are slid from both sides of the garment to the back thereof to fold the garment.

Patent Document No. 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-68798

Patent Document No. 2: Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 5-70499

Patent Document No. 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-143015

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the garment folding apparatus disclosed in Patent Document No. 3 requires a device such as a compressor or the like for blowing air in order to flap the garment rearward.

For these reasons, the conventional garment folding apparatuses as disclosed in Patent Documents Nos. 1 through 3 require a wide installation area or a compressor which generates a large operation noise. Although being suitable for use in cleaning plants, such apparatuses are not suitable for use in households.

The present invention has an object of solving these problems of the conventional art and providing a garment folding apparatus and a hanger suitable for use in households.

Means for Solving the Problems

A hanger according to the present invention is a hanger for hanging a garment thereon, comprising: a main body section; a suspension section at which the hanger is suspended, the suspension section being connected to the main body section; and a pair of arm sections for supporting the garment in a suspended state from inside, the pair of arm sections being linked to the main body section, wherein, from a state of supporting the garment spread, the arm sections transform to fold at least a part of the garment.

In a preferred embodiment, the arm section automatically performs the transformation based on an external instruction.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the pair of arm sections at least includes an arm butt linked to the main body section and an arm fore-end link to the arm butt; and at a linking section between the arm butt and the arm fore-end, the arm section bends in a direction intersecting a vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended, thereby performing a first transformation of allowing the garment having been supported spread by the arm sections to be folded at the linking sections between the arm butts and the arm fore-ends.

In a preferred embodiment, the first transformation applies to the garment a pair of crease portions which are parallel to the vertical direction, such that the garment is divided into a garment central part spanning in between the pair of crease portions and a pair of garment side parts spanning from the pair of crease portions toward edges.

In a preferred embodiment, a projected region of the main body section on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical direction fits within a projected region of an opening of the garment supported spread by the arm sections.

In a preferred embodiment, after the first transformation, the pair of arm sections transform so that the projected region on the plane fits within the projected region of the opening of the garment.

A preferred embodiment performs: a second transformation where, after the first transformation, the arm fore-ends rotate at the linking sections with the arm butts so as to be extended in the vertical direction; a third transformation where the arm fore-ends move past the crease portions of the garment, and rotate at the linking sections with the arm butts so as to enter into the garment central part; and a fourth transformation where the arm butts and the arm fore-ends move within the garment central part so that projected regions of the arm sections on the plane fit within the projected region of the opening of the garment.

In a preferred embodiment, the arm fore-ends and arm butts have an air outlet, and when the arm sections perform the second, third, and fourth transformations, friction with the garment is reduced with air which is blown through the air outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, length of the arm fore-end is shorter than a distance from an upper end of each crease portion to a lower end of a sleeve root of the garment after the first transformation.

In a preferred embodiment, each arm section includes first and second link portions connected respectively to the arm butt and the arm fore-end so as to be capable of rotating; and the first and second link portions are connected to each other so as to be capable of rotating.

In a preferred embodiment, in the first transformation, the first link portions rotate relative to the arm butts and the arm fore-ends rotate relative to the second link portions, whereby each arm fore-ends is bent in a direction intersecting the vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended; and in the second transformation, the second link portions rotate relative to the first link portions in such a manner that tips of the arm fore-ends do not intersect the lower ends of the sleeve roots of the garment, whereby the arm fore-ends rotate so as to be extended in the vertical direction.

In a preferred embodiment, after the fourth transformation, a projected region of the main body and arm section on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical direction fits within a circle having a diameter of 15 cm.

A garment folding apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a hanger which while supporting a garment in a suspended state transforms to fold the garment in a horizontal direction; a hanging pole for suspending the hanger; and a folding mechanism for performing a folding operation for the garment in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in cooperation with the transforming hanger.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes: a folding width determining portion for, in cooperating with the transforming hanger, determining a position of a crease portion along a vertical direction of the garment by abutting with the garment when the hanger folds the garment in the horizontal direction; and a garment side part holder for holding an edge of the garment having been folded inside along the crease portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a folding section for folding in the vertical direction the suspended garment which is hung on the hanger; the folding section includes a folding length determining portion having first and second edges extending along the horizontal direction and a lower end holder for holding a lower end of the garment; and in a state where the lower end holder is holding the lower end of the garment, the folding section moves upward while wrapping around the first edge of the folding length determining portion to form a crease portion along the first edge, and furthermore moves the first edge upward while wrapping around the second edge to apply a crease portion along the second edge to the garment, thus folding the garment in the vertical direction.

In a preferred embodiment, in an operation of folding the garment in the vertical direction, the lower end holder operates integrally with the second edge.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

With the hanger and garment folding apparatus according to the present invention, a garment is automatically folded while being suspended on a hanger, whereby an automated folding operation is realized without incurring manual work such as placing the garment into the folding apparatus. Moreover, since the garment is folded while in a suspended state, the floor area occupied by the garment folding apparatus is reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] A perspective view showing an embodiment of a garment folding apparatus including a hanger according to the present invention.

[FIG. 2] A perspective view of the hanger shown in FIG. 1.

[FIG. 3] A perspective view showing enlarged a link portion of the hanger.

[FIG. 4] A perspective view showing a main portion of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 5] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 6] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger.

[FIG. 7] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 8] A cross-sectional view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 9] A cross-sectional view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 10] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 11] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 12] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 13] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 14] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 15] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 16] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger.

[FIG. 17] A perspective view showing an operation of the hanger and garment folding apparatus.

[FIG. 18] A perspective view showing another embodiment of the hanger.

[FIG. 19] A perspective view showing another embodiment of the hanger.

[FIG. 20] A perspective view showing another embodiment of the hanger.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 garment -   110 hanging pole -   121 hanger carrier -   200 hanger -   210 main body section -   220, 230 arm -   221, 231 arm butt -   222, 232 arm fore-end -   400 vertical direction folding section -   411, 412 garment side part holder -   420 folding width determining portion -   430 folding length determining portion -   440 hem holder -   450 folding mechanism -   451 length direction folding section -   490 case

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hanger and a garment folding apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The hanger according to the present invention is able to automatically transform to fold at least a part of a garment which is hung on the hanger, based on an external instruction. Moreover, the garment folding apparatus includes the hanger according to the present invention, and in cooperation with the hanger, allows a garment which is hung on the hanger to be folded. Therefore, the garment folding apparatus according to the present invention is capable of preferably folding a garment washed and then dried while being hung on a hanger.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the garment folding apparatus according to the present embodiment. The garment folding apparatus includes a hanging pole 110, hangers 200, and a folding mechanism 450. The folding mechanism 450 includes a folding width determining portion 420 and a vertical direction folding section 451. Each hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 cooperate to fold a garment 10 hung on the hanger 200 into a predetermined size in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. In the present specification, the direction in which the garment 10 is hung on a hanger due to the gravitational force is the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is the horizontal direction. The vertical direction and the horizontal direction will also be respectively referred to as the “length (longitudinal) direction” and the “width direction” of the garment hung on a hanger. Moreover, in the present specification, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction do not need to be strictly vertical and horizontal, but may deviate from the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by about ±5 degrees.

The hanging pole 110 is kept at a predetermined height by a pole stand 101 in order to allow a washed garment 10 to be dried thereon. A plurality of hanger carriers 121 are attached to the hanging pole 110, and a hanger 200 is suspended from each of the plurality of hanger carriers 121. Each hanger carrier 121 has, for example, pinion gears (not shown) which mesh with a rack (not shown) that is provided on the hanging pole 110 and a driving section for rotating the pinion gears (not shown), thus being able to move in the directions of arrows 120A and 120B relative to the hanging pole 110.

On each hanger 121 suspended from the hanging pole 110, a washed garment is hung to be dried. Therefore, the garment folding apparatus is preferably installed outdoors. In the case where the garment folding apparatus is installed outdoors, the folding mechanism 450 is preferably provided with a case 490 having a roof in order to prevent the folded garment from being wetted by the rain or the like. A part of the hanging pole 110 is placed inside the case 490. The folding mechanism 450 is located inside the case 490.

In addition, the case 490 includes a driving section 471 for driving the folding mechanism 450 and a control section 472 for controlling the entire garment folding apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hanger 200. The hanger 200 includes a main body section 210, a suspension section 211, and a pair of arm sections 220 and 230.

In order that the hanger 200 may be pulled out through an opening such as a neck of the folded garment 10, the main body section 210 has an outer shape such that, in a state where the garment 10 is supported spread by the hanger 200, a projected region of the main body section 200 on a horizontal plane fits within a projected region of the opening of the garment 10 being supported spread.

The suspension section 211 is connected to the main body section 210, and has a hook shape, for example. By inserting the suspension section 211 into a hole of a hanger carrier 121, the hanger 200 is suspended by the hanging pole 110.

The arm sections 220 and 230 are linked to the main body section 210 and provide support from inside, in a suspended state. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the arm sections 220 and 230 are extended in a generally horizontal direction, the hanger 200 supports the garment 10 spread. Therefore, preferably, the arm section 220 and the arm section 230 constitute an obtuse angle of about 160 degrees to 185 degrees, in accordance with the shoulder lines of the garment 10.

From the state of supporting the garment 10 spread, the arm sections 220 and 230 are able to transform in such a manner as to fold at least a part of the garment 10. For this reason, the arm section 220 includes an arm butt 221 and an arm fore-end 222. Similarly, the arm section 230 includes an arm butt 231 and an arm fore-end 232.

The arm butts 221 and 231 are linked to the main body section 210 so as to be capable of rotating from a state of being extended in a generally horizontal direction to a state of being hung downward as shown in arrows 221A and 231A, respectively, relative to the main body section 210. Moreover, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 are linked respectively to the arm butts 221 and 231 so as to be capable of rotating as shown by arrows 222A and 232A and arrows 222B and 232B. As a result, in the present embodiment, between the arm butt 221 and the arm fore-end 222 and between the arm butt 231 and the arm fore-end 232B, a first link portion 223 and a second link portion 224 as well as a first link portion 233 and a second link portion 234 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in detail the structure of a linking section between the arm butt 221 and the arm fore-end 222. The first link portion 223 is connected to the arm butt 222 so as to be capable of rotating around an axis 223 a. The second link portion 224 is linked to the arm fore-end 222 so as to be capable of rotating around an axis 222 a. Moreover, the first link portion 223 and the second link portion 224 are linked so as to be capable of rotating relative to each other around an axis 224 a.

Therefore, when the first link portion 223 and the second link portion 224 are arranged between the arm butt 221 and the arm fore-end 222 in such a manner that the axis 223 a and the axis 222 a lie parallel, as shown in FIG. 2, it becomes possible to allow the arm fore-end 222 to be rotated by about 180 degrees in the direction of arrow 222A, around an axis (in the garment length direction) which is perpendicular to the arm butt 221. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the first link portion 223 is rotated around the axis 223 a by 90 degrees relative to the arm butt 221, the second link portion 224 and the arm fore-end 222 connected thereto may be rotated around the axis 224 a, whereby the arm fore-end 222 can be rotated relative to the arm butt 221 around an axis whose direction is perpendicular to the garment plane. The first link portion 233 and the second link portion 234 are similarly linked to the arm butt 231 and the arm fore-end 232.

Such rotating operations of the link portions may be achieved by small motors (not shown) which are internalized in the respective link portions corresponding to the respective rotation axes, or achieved by a motor which is internalized in the main body section 210 of the hanger 200 and wires which are drawn to the link portions (neither of which is shown). Moreover, the respective elements of the hanger 200 are controlled based on instructions by wireless signals which are transmitted from the control section 472 shown in FIG. 1. Since a driving mechanism(s) such as a motor(s) is incorporated in the hanger 200, the arm sections 220 and 230 of the hanger 200 can automatically perform transformations, based on instructions from the control section 472.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the folding mechanism 450 will be described. In cooperation with the transforming hanger 200, the folding mechanism 450 performs folding operations of the garment 10 in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. The folding width determining portion 420 of the folding mechanism 450 has vertical edges 420 e 1 and 420 e 2, and cooperates with the hanger 200 in such a manner that the folding width determining portion 420 abuts with the garment 10 when the hanger folds the garment 10 in the horizontal direction, thus determining the position of a crease portion of the garment 10 along the vertical direction. In order to hold the edge of the folded garment 10, garment side part holders 411 and 412 are provided on the folding width determining portion 420. In the present specification, a crease portion means a linear crease that appears when a garment is folded, or any bent portion of a garment spanning some width.

The vertical direction folding section 451 folds the garment 10 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the vertical direction folding section 451 includes bar-like folding length determining portions 431 and 432 having a first edge 431 e and a second edge 432 e extending along the horizontal direction, and lower end holders 441 and 442 for holding the lower end of the garment 10. The folding length determining portions 431 and 432 are linked by a link portion 430, and the folding length determining portions 431 and 432 are moved in the direction of arrow 430A or 430B by a moving mechanism (not shown). The lower end holders 441 and 442 are provided on the folding length determining portion 432. In a state where the lower end holders 441 and 442 are holding the lower end of the garment 10, the vertical direction folding section 451 may move upward while wrapping around the first edge 431 e, thus forming a crease portion along the first edge. Furthermore, by moving upward the first edge 431 e while wrapping around the second edge 432 e, a crease portion along the second edge 432 e is applied to the garment 10, whereby the garment 10 is folded in the length direction.

As described below, these elements of the folding mechanism 450 can approach, or retract from, the garment 10 at an appropriate timing under the control of the control section 471. A driving mechanism for allowing the elements to approach, or retract from, the garment 10 may be realized by a combination of known mechanical mechanisms or mechanical elements.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 through FIG. 17, an operation of the garment folding apparatus will be described.

First, an operator hangs washed garments 10 on the hangers 200 in the state where the arms 202 and 203 are opened as shown in FIG. 1, and suspends the hangers 200 from the hanger carriers 121 provided on the hanging pole 110. Since the hanger carriers 121 are provided slidably on the hanging pole 110, the operator can set an interval between the plurality of garments 10 as desired. When the hanger carriers 121 are moved by winds or the like during drying of the garments 10, the garments 10 cannot come any closer together than is allowed by the length of each hanger carrier 121 itself, and thus the garments 10 are prevented from contacting one another to result in delayed drying.

After the operator finishes hanging an arbitrary number of garments 10 in this way, the garments 10 are dried by the heat of the sun as time passes like garments hung on a usual hanging pole. When the operator inputs an instruction to the control section 472 with a switch (not shown), or when a dryness sensor (not shown) detects more than a certain level of dryness of the garments 10, the hanger carrier 121 that is the closest to the folding mechanism 450 moves in the direction of arrow 120A to enter inside the case 490, and stops. As a result, the hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 start a folding operation for the garment 10. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 17, this will be described by referring to an operation of the hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450. The operation of the hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 is performed with predetermined timing based on instructions from the control section 472.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the folding width determining portion 420 moves toward the garment 10 and is rested on the back side of the garment 10, as indicated by arrow 420A. Next, as indicated by arrows 222A and 232A, at their linking sections with the arm butts 221 and 231, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 of the hanger 200 are bent in directions intersecting the vertical direction, preferably directions which are generally perpendicular thereto. As a result, the garment 10 having been supported spread by the arm sections is bent at the linking sections between the arm butts 221 and 231 and the arm fore-ends 222 and 232.

More specifically, the first link portions 223 and 233 rotate relative to the arm butts 221 and 231, and the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate by 90 degrees in the directions of arrows 222A and 232A around the axes 223 a and 233 a, thus resulting in a state shown in FIG. 6. Next, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate relative to the second link portions 224 and 234 by 90 degrees in the directions of arrows 222A and 232A around the axes 222 a and 232 a. As a result, the arm sections 220 and 230 are bent in a manner of embracing the folding width determining portion 420 as shown in FIG. 7, and crease portions along the vertical direction are formed in the garment 10 at the left and right edges 420 e 1 and 420 e 2 of the folding width determining portion 420, such that the garment 10 is folded in the width (shoulder-to-shoulder width) direction. This is referred to as a first transformation.

Since the arm section 220 and the arm section 230 preferably constitute an obtuse angle, rotation of the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 in the directions of arrows 222A and 232A causes the tips of the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 to be slightly (e.g., by about 5 cm) elevated from the plane on which the first link portion 223, the second link portion 224, and the first link portion 233 and the second link portion 234 are located. As a result, the garment 10 is folded in the width direction, without its shoulder ends dropping off the arm fore-ends 222 and 232.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal plane immediately above the arm sections 220 and 230 of the hanger 200, showing the garment having been folded by the first transformation. As a result of the first transformation, the garment 10 is divided into a garment central part 10 c and left and right garment side parts 10 s 1 and 10 s 2 which are folded up by 180 degrees so as to overlie it, as bounded by the crease portions 10 f 1 and 10 f 2. The garment central part 10 c contains the hanger main body 210 and the arm butts 221 and 231, whereas the garment side parts 10 s 1 and 10 s 2 contain the arm fore-ends 222 and 232.

From this state, the garment side part holders 411 and 412 proceed in the directions of arrows 411A and 412A while rotating in the directions of arrows 411R and 412R, and as shown in FIG. 9, press the tip ends of the garment side parts 10 s 1 and 10 s 2 against the folding width determining portion 420, as if to take them off the tips of the arm fore-ends 222 and 232. At this time, the gripping operation is performed while adjusting the pressing force against the folding width determining portion 420 so that the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 of the hanger 200 contained in the garment side parts 10 s 1 and 10 s 2 are not also gripped. Hereinafter, in order to clarify the motion of the hanger 200, the folding width determining portion 420 and the garment side part holders 411 and 412, which grip the shoulder ends of the garment 10 having been folded in the width direction, will be omitted from illustration.

As the first transformation is completed, the arm sections 220 and 230 of the hanger 200 complete the operation of folding the garment 10 in the horizontal direction. The garment 10 is folded in the vertical direction by the length direction folding section 451. The arm sections 220 and 230 transform in such a manner that the hanger 200 can be pulled out of the garment 10. This is achieved by the arm sections 220 and 230 undergoing transformations such that the projected regions of the arm sections 220 and 230 on a horizontal plane fit within the projected region of an opening of the garment. Hereinafter, the folding of the garment 10 in the horizontal direction and the transformations of the arm sections 220 and 230 will be described.

After the gripping operation for the garment 10 by garment side part holders 411 and 412, as shown in FIG. 10, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate on the plane of the garment 10 (which is parallel to the length direction of the garment 10) around the axes 224 a and 234 a, as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A. As a result, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 are in a state where they are extended in the vertical direction. This is referred to as a second transformation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate around the axes 223 a and 233 a, as indicated by arrows 223A and 233A. As a result, from the garment side parts 10 s 1 and 10 s 2, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 move past the garment crease portions 10 f 1 and 10 f 2, and enter into the garment central part 10 c. This is referred to as a third transformation. In order to enable the third transformation, it is preferable that the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 have a length which is shorter than the distance from the upper end of each crease portion to the lower end of each sleeve root of the garment 10 after the first transformation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate on the plane of the garment 10 around the axes 224 a and 234 a, as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A. As a result of this, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 are positioned substantially parallel to the arm butts 221 and 231. This defines a former half of a fourth transformation.

In this manner, the arm sections 220 and 230 complete their preparation for making a transform to enable the hanger 200 to be pulled out of the garment 10.

Next, a folding operation for the garment 10 by the length direction folding section 451 is performed. For the garment 10 having completed its folding operation in the width direction and now being hung by the hanger 200, the folding section 451 approaches the garment 10 in such a manner that the folding length determining portions 431 and 432 will abut on the back side, as shown in FIG. 13. The lower end holders 441 and 442 provided so as to be integral with the folding length determining portion 432 are extended as indicated by the direction of arrow 440A; the hem edge of the garment 10 is detected; and the hem of the garment 10 is clamped by the lower end holders 441 and 442.

From this state, the link portion 430 is rotated by about 180 degrees around the first edge 431 e, as indicated by arrow 431A. Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, the folding length determining portion 432 and the clamped hem of the garment 10 move above the first edge 431 e while tensioning the garment 10. As a result, the garment 10 is folded upward while wrapping around the first edge 431 e.

Furthermore, the link portion 430 is rotated by about 180 degrees around the second edge 432 e, as indicated by arrow 432A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the folding length determining portion 431 and the hem of the garment 10 move above the second edge 432 e while tensioning the garment 10. As a result, the garment 10 is folded upward while wrapping around the second edge 432 e. In this manner, by folding the garment 10 twice, the folding operation for the garment 10 in the length direction is completed.

Next, an operation of removing from the garment 10 the hanger 200, the length direction folding section 451, and the folding width determining portion 420, which are with the folded garment 10, will be described.

First, by a mechanism not shown, the folded garment 10 is supported so as not to unfold. For example, arms or the like approach the garment 10 and support the garment so as to prevent it from unfolding. Next, the lower end holders 441 and 442 are moved in the direction of arrow 440B, so as to be accommodated into the folding length determining portion 432. Moreover, in the hanger 200 as shown in FIG. 16, the arm butts 221 and 231 rotate within the plane of the garment 10, around their link portions with the main body section 210 of the hanger 200, into a hung-down state as indicated by arrows 221A and 231A, whereby the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 also move below the main body section 210. As a result, the arms 220 and 230 fit within the main body section 210 and an umbrella section 212 of the hanger 200, such that the projected region of the hanger 200 on a horizontal plane as seen from above has a size fitting within a circle with a diameter of 15 cm, thus resulting in a smaller projected region than the neck of the garment 10. Thus, the transformations of the hanger 200 into a shape which permits pulling out from the garment 10 are completed.

As shown in FIG. 17, by moving the folding length determining portions 431 and 432 and the link portion 430 in the direction of arrow 440B, the hanger 200 and the folding width determining portion 420 are pulled out of the folded garment 10. Next, the folding length determining portions 431 and 432 are pulled out of the garment 10 by being moved relative to the link portion 430 in the direction of arrow 430B. At this time, the link portion 430 does not move, but rather is limiting the movement of a side face of the garment 10, so that the garment 10 will not be pulled due to friction with, or being caught by, the folding length determining portions 431 and 432. In this manner, the garment 10 is folded once in the width direction, and twice in the length direction.

Thus, folding of the garment 10 is completed. After folding of the garment 10 is completed, the folding width determining portion 420 and the vertical direction folding section 451 move downward, for example, and the hanger 200 which is now free from the garment 10 is moved to the rear of the case 490. Thereafter, a next hanger 200 having a garment 10 hung thereon moves into the case 490, and a folding operation for the garment 10 is repeated.

Thus, with the hanger and garment folding apparatus according to the present invention, a garment is automatically folded while being suspended on a hanger, whereby an automated folding operation is realized without incurring manual work such as placing the garment into the folding apparatus. Moreover, since the garment is folded while in a suspended state, the floor area occupied by the garment folding apparatus is reduced. Furthermore, since no compressor or the like is used, generation of a large operation noise is prevented, resulting in suitability for use in households. Since the garment is folded while being tensioned, it is also possible to obtain a neat folded state free of wrinkles.

The hanger and the garment folding apparatus according to the present embodiment admit of various modifications. For example, a plurality of air outlets 200 h may be provided in the arm sections of the hanger as shown in FIG. 18, and after the first transformation, friction with the garment may be reduced with air which is blown from the arms during the transformations of the hanger inside the garment as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 16, thus enabling smooth transformations of the arm sections 220 and 230. In this case, the air to be blown through the air outlets 200 h can be filled in a small cylinder or the like internalized in the arm butts and arm fore-ends, for example. Moreover, steam may be let out from the air outlets 200 h as shown in FIG. 18 before start of the folding operation, thus applying moisture and heat from inside the garment to render the garment soft, thus enabling wrinkle removal due to its own weight.

Moreover, prior to the second transformation of the arm sections 220 and 230 shown in FIG. 10, as is shown in FIG. 19, the first link portion 233 and the arm fore-end 232 may be rotated around the axes 233 a and 232 a so that the angle between the arm butt 231 and the first link portion 233 is larger than 90 degrees and the angle between the arm fore-end 232 and the second link portion 234 is smaller than 90 degrees, thus moving the arm fore-end 232 (222) in the direction of arrow 230C (220C) to allow the tip 232 t (222 t) of the arm fore-end to come away from the sleeve root of the garment.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20, the arm fore-ends themselves may shrink as indicated by arrows 220C and 230C so as to result in a shorter length along their longitudinal direction, and thereafter the arm fore-ends may rotate so as to become extended in the vertical direction, as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A.

As a result, during the second transformation, it can be ensured that the tips 222 t and 232 t of the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 do not intersect the sleeve roots 10 r of the garment.

Moreover, although the folding width determining portion shown in FIG. 4 appears to be a single plate, it does not need to be in a plate form so long as it has a pair of vertical edges. For example, the folding width determining portion may have a pair of vertical bars. Moreover, the garment side part holders may be of any shape and structure other than a roller shape, so long as they are capable of gripping tip ends of the garment. For example, similar effects can also be obtained by providing a structure such as a robot hand.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The hanger and the garment folding apparatus according to the present invention are able to automatically fold a garment which is suspended on a hanger, and thus are useful because they realize a garment folding operation free of manual work, without occupying a large floor area. 

1. A hanger for hanging a garment thereon, comprising: a main body section; a suspension section at which the hanger is suspended, the suspension section being connected to the main body section; and a pair of arm sections for supporting the garment in a suspended state from inside, the pair of arm sections being linked to the main body section, wherein, from a state of supporting the garment spread, the arm sections transform to fold at least a part of the garment.
 2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the arm section automatically performs the transformation based on an external instruction.
 3. The hanger of claim 2, wherein, each of the pair of arm sections at least includes an arm butt linked to the main body section and an arm fore-end link to the arm butt; and at a linking section between the arm butt and the arm fore-end, the arm section bends in a direction intersecting a vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended, thereby performing a first transformation of allowing the garment having been supported spread by the arm sections to be folded at the linking sections between the arm butts and the arm fore-ends.
 4. The hanger of claim 3, wherein the first transformation applies to the garment a pair of crease portions which are parallel to the vertical direction, such that the garment is divided into a garment central part spanning in between the pair of crease portions and a pair of garment side parts spanning from the pair of crease portions toward edges.
 5. The hanger of claim 4, wherein a projected region of the main body section on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical direction fits within a projected region of an opening of the garment supported spread by the arm sections.
 6. The hanger of claim 5, wherein, after the first transformation, the pair of arm sections transform so that the projected region on the plane fits within the projected region of the opening of the garment.
 7. The hanger of claim 6, performing: a second transformation where, after the first transformation, the arm fore-ends rotate at the linking sections with the arm butts so as to be extended in the vertical direction; a third transformation where the arm fore-ends move past the crease portions of the garment, and rotate at the linking sections with the arm butts so as to enter into the garment central part; and a fourth transformation where the arm butts and the arm fore-ends move within the garment central part so that projected regions of the arm sections on the plane fit within the projected region of the opening of the garment.
 8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the arm fore-ends and arm butts have an air outlet, and when the arm sections perform the second, third, and fourth transformations, friction with the garment is reduced with air which is blown through the air outlet.
 9. The hanger of claim 8, wherein length of the arm fore-end is shorter than a distance from an upper end of each crease portion to a lower end of a sleeve root of the garment after the first transformation.
 10. The hanger of claim 9, wherein, each arm section includes first and second link portions connected respectively to the arm butt and the arm fore-end so as to be capable of rotating; and the first and second link portions are connected to each other so as to be capable of rotating.
 11. The hanger of claim 10, wherein, in the first transformation, the first link portions rotate relative to the arm butts and the arm fore-ends rotate relative to the second link portions, whereby each arm fore-ends is bent in a direction intersecting the vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended; and in the second transformation, the second link portions rotate relative to the first link portions in such a manner that tips of the arm fore-ends do not intersect the lower ends of the sleeve roots of the garment, whereby the arm fore-ends rotate so as to be extended in the vertical direction.
 12. The hanger of claim 11, wherein, after the fourth transformation, a projected region of the main body and arm section on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical direction fits within a circle having a diameter of 15 cm.
 13. A garment folding apparatus comprising: a hanger which while supporting a garment in a suspended state transforms to fold the garment in a horizontal direction; a hanging pole for suspending the hanger; and a folding mechanism for performing a folding operation for the garment in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in cooperation with the transforming hanger.
 14. The garment folding apparatus of claim 13, wherein, the folding mechanism includes: a folding width determining portion for, in cooperating with the transforming hanger, determining a position of a crease portion along a vertical direction of the garment by abutting with the garment when the hanger folds the garment in the horizontal direction; and a garment side part holder for holding an edge of the garment having been folded inside along the crease portion.
 15. The garment folding apparatus of claim 14, wherein, the folding mechanism includes a folding section for folding in the vertical direction the suspended garment which is hung on the hanger; the folding section includes a folding length determining portion having first and second edges extending along the horizontal direction and a lower end holder for holding a lower end of the garment; and in a state where the lower end holder is holding the lower end of the garment, the folding section moves upward while wrapping around the first edge of the folding length determining portion to form a crease portion along the first edge, and furthermore moves the first edge upward while wrapping around the second edge to apply a crease portion along the second edge to the garment, thus folding the garment in the vertical direction.
 16. The garment folding apparatus of claim 15, wherein, in an operation of folding the garment in the vertical direction, the lower end holder operates integrally with the second edge. 